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Welcome! If you've ever been curious about Pilates and are considering taking your first class at our studio, you're in for a treat. Ashburn Core offers a welcoming, serene atmosphere where you can expect personal attention, a supportive community, and a more tailored experience than you’ll find in larger studios. Ashburn Core is all about helping anyone who is a beginner to Pilates! Here is a quick guide that will help you understand what to expect in your first class, and how to make the most of your experience.
Before you Get Here
To ensure you’re ready for your first Pilates class at Ashburn Core Pilates, here’s a quick guide to what you’ll need and how to prepare:
What to Wear to Your First Pilates Class
Comfortable Clothing: Wear comfy clothing! Tight fitted clothes are NOT required, but it's also best not to wear anything overly loose. We ask that clients avoid wearing clothing with zippers as they tend to snag the reformer vinyl, leading to tears.
Grip Socks: Wearing grip socks for added stability and hygiene are a must. If you don’t have a pair, we have them available for purchase at the studio. If you forget your grippy socks, we do have a few available to borrow - though we cannot guarantee availability.
What to Bring to Your First Pilates Class
Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is essential, so bring a water bottle to keep nearby during class.
Towel: If you tend to sweat during workouts, a small towel can be handy.
Open Mind: The most important thing to bring is a willingness to learn, explore, and enjoy the process.
A Warm Welcome Awaits You
One of the top features of Ashburn Core is our friendly, welcoming environment. Unlike larger gyms, we have a personalized touch. We are truly excited to meet you! Please arrive 5-10 minutes early to your first class so you can find the studio (hint: we’re on the back side of the building!). When you walk in, you’ll be greeted by your instructor or our studio assistant at the desk. Your instructor will ask about your experience level, and any goals or injuries/body considerations you may have
A Cozy, Welcoming Space
Ashburn Core is a small group studio, which means you'll have more access to individualized attention. The studio is calm and serene; we’re often told it has a bit of a “Zen” feeling. The soft music and warm wood tones will immediately put you at ease!
The class itself is limited to 5 clients; each client will have their own Pilates reformer, chair, and mat; depending on the class flow of the day, you may or may not use all of this equipment. To maintain the serene environment, please silence or turn off your phone before class begins.
Familiarizing Yourself with Equipment
For your first Pilates class, you'll be introduced to the Pilates reformer, a machine with adjustable springs, a sliding platform, and various attachments. Your instructor will guide you how to adjust the equipment to fit your body size and needs and will go over the various parts of the equipment, so you have some basic vocabulary to go off of. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and rest assured that we do NOT expect you to remember it all from the start. We do our best to make sure you feel comfortable and confident before beginning and will keep an extra eye on you to ensure you are doing what you need to do during your class.
Focus on Breath
A key principle of Pilates is breathing, and you’ll likely hear your instructor emphasize breath patterns throughout the class. This is important in Pilates; breathing helps you engage your muscles and improve endurance. However, it can take some practice to sync your movements with your breath. Do not worry if the suggested patterns feel strange to you in the beginning. The more important thing to remember is to just breathe; over time as you better learn the exercise movements, breath patterns will become more second nature.
Low-Impact, Full-Body Workout
Whether you're familiar with Pilates or not, you'll soon notice that it’s a full-body workout that focuses on building core strength, improving posture, and enhancing flexibility. The class will include exercises targeting many body parts (not just abs!). Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise, meaning that it’s easy on the joints while still offering a challenging workout. You might feel muscles working in ways they haven't before.
A Sense of Community
One of the greatest benefits of being a client at Ashburn Core is the sense of community. The smaller class sizes allow you to get to know your instructor, and fellow classmates. Many friendships have been formed within our walls; we are proud to offer a welcoming environment where you can feel comfortable and supported.
End of Class Check-in
Just as your instructor checked in with you at the beginning of class, we’ll check in with how you feel after class. After cleaning off your equipment, take a moment to let us know your thoughts and any questions you may have. We 100% want to hear from you and answer any questions that you may have about Pilates, the studio, or classes.
We’re here for you on your Journey!
Pilates is a journey, and your first class is the BEST first step.
You’ll gradually build strength, flexibility, and awareness of your body. As you continue attending classes, you’ll notice improvements in posture, muscle tone, and overall well-being. The more consistently you practice, the more confident you’ll feel, and the exercises will become more intuitive. Most of our clients attend class twice a week; though we often hear they wish they could come every day!
Let us be Your Support Team
We hope your first class at Ashburn Core leaves you refreshed and empowered. Please try to remember, it’s not about perfection – it’s about learning, progressing, and finding happiness in your movement. Your team of instructors at Ashburn Core Pilates are here to support you; we want to help you feel successful and strong. We’re proud of you! You’ve taken the hardest step, which is walking in the door and attending your first Pilates class.
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